Krauncadvipa, aka: Kraunca-dvipa, Krauñcadvīpa; 3 Definition(s)

Introduction

Krauncadvipa means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Purāṇa

Krauñcadvīpa (क्रौञ्चद्वीप) is one of the seven islands (dvīpa), ruled over by Jyotiṣmān, one of the ten sons of Priyavrata, according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 74. Priyavrata was a son of Svāyambhuva Manu, who was created by Brahmā, who was in turn created by Nārāyaṇa, the unknowable all-pervasive primordial being.

These are the seven major mountains in Krauñcadvīpa:

Vidyullata (or, Raivata),

Mānasa (or, Pāvaka),

Andhakāra (or, Acchodaka),

Devāvṛta (or, Surāpa),

Deviṣṭha (or, Kāñcanaśṛṅga),

Govinda (or, Dvivinda),

Puṇḍarīka (or, Toyāsaha).

These are the seven regions situated in Krauñcadvīpa:

Kuśala (or, Mādhava),

Vāmaka (or, Saṃvartaka),

Uṣṇavān (or, Saprakāśa),

Pāvaka (or, Sudarśana),

Adhakāra (or, Sammoha),

Munideśa (or, Prakāśa),

Dundubhi (or, Anartha).

These are the seven major rivers situated in Krauñcadvīpa:

Gauri (or, Puṣpavahā),

Kumudvatī (Ārdravatī),

Sandhyā (or Raudrā),

Rātrī (or, Sukhāvahā),

Manojavā (or, Bhogajavā),

Khyāti (or, Kṣiprodā),

Puṇḍarīka (or, Bahulā).

The Varāhapurāṇa is categorised as a Mahāpurāṇa, and was originally composed of 24,000 metrical verses, possibly originating from before the 10th century. It is composed of two parts and Sūta is the main narrator.

Source: Wisdom Library: Varāha-purāṇacontext information

The Purāṇas (पुराण, purana) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahāpurāṇas total over 400,000 ślokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Kathās (कथा) are special kind of Sanskrit literature: they are a kind of a mix between Itihāsa (historical legends) and Mahākāvya (epic poetry). Some Kathās reflect socio-political instructions for the King while others remind the reader of the historical deeds of the Gods, sages and heroes.

Śaivism (Śaiva philosophy)

Krauñcadvīpa (क्रौञ्चद्वीप) refers to one of the seven continents (saptadvīpa) situated within the world of the earth (pṛthivī), according to Parākhyatantra 5.61. It is also known as plainly Krauñca. These continents are located above the seven pātālas and may contain even more sub-continents within them, are round in shape, and are encircled within seven concentric oceans.

According to the Parākhya-tantra, “beyond that is the continent Krauñca, where Kārttikeya threw his spear of great power and slew the great demon Krauñca. Beyond that is the ocean of clarified butter, where the creator, in a sacrifice (kratu), placed a great deal of clarified butter to give pleasure to the gods; that is why it is known as the ocean of clarified butter”.

The Parākhyatantra is an old Śaiva-siddhānta tantra dating from before the 10th century.

Source: Wisdom Library: Śaivismcontext information

Śaiva (शैव, shaiva) or Śaivism (shaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Śiva as the supreme being. Closeley related to Śāktism, Śaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.